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MAN-20221 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 06 April 2026

MAN-20221 - Information Systems and Data Strategy
Coordinator: Rotimi Ogunsakin
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733094

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module equips you with the strategic frameworks and analytical skills to design and evaluate how organisations leverage information systems and data assets for competitive advantage. Through real-world case studies and hands-on projects, you will explore Information Systems strategy, enterprise architecture, data governance, business analytics, and AI strategy while learning to align technology investments with business and organisation objectives.
You will develop highly sought-after skills in information systems and strategic analysis, risk assessment, and recommendation development through both individual analytical work and collaborative consultancy-style group projects, where you will present strategy proposals to simulated stakeholders. By bridging business strategy with technology and data capabilities, this module complements your wider programme and prepares you to become the kind of professionals that modern organisations need to navigate digital and data transformation successfully.

Aims
This module focuses on how businesses use information systems and data strategy to transform their operations and achieve a competitive advantage. It examines the influence of information systems architecture and data management on business and organisational strategies, and on the management of risks these bring. For a company to succeed today, its information systems and data strategies should be aligned with its business and organisational strategies. The course will draw on contemporary IS alignment theories and data governance frameworks to examine the range of information systems and data strategies embarked upon by companies of all sizes and types. The course will provide a set of theoretical and analytic models allowing students to assess (a) the existing information systems and data strategies of companies, and (b) the suitability of modern IS architectures and data management approaches to specific companies and contexts. The course will also explain the place of business analytics and artificial intelligence within the broader framework of information systems and data-driven transformation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain Information Systems concepts and tools, and their application in modern organisations to achieve competitive advantage: 2
Explain the relationship between information systems strategy, data strategy, business strategy and organisational strategy, including key IS alignment theories and data governance frameworks: 1
Apply theoretical and analytical models to evaluate existing information systems and data strategies of organisations across different industries and contexts: 1,2
Analyse the suitability of information systems architectures and data management approaches for specific organisational contexts and strategic objectives: 1,2
Assess the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with implementing information systems and data strategies in organisations: 1
Design and justify strategic recommendations that align information systems capabilities and data assets with business objectives to achieve competitive advantage: 2

Study hours

12 x 2-hour Lecture
12 x 2-hour Tutorial
24 x 6-hour independent study and practices (Students read recommended articles; watch recommended videos; read recommended chapters of the textbook, and complete recommended exercises)
108 guided learning, reading tasks, assessment preparation and individual support

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 50%
Individual strategic analysis of an organisation's information systems and data strategy
Students will individually analyse the information systems and data strategy of a selected organisation. The assignment requires students to: (1) evaluate the alignment between the organisation's IS and data strategy and its business strategy using relevant theoretical frameworks; (2) assess the current IS architecture and data management approaches; (3) analyse associated risks and challenges; (4) evaluate the organisation's use of business analytics and AI; and (5) provide justified strategic recommendations for improvement. Word limit: 2,000 words (+/- 10%).

2: Group Assessment weighted 50%
Group consultancy project developing an IS and data strategy proposal
Student groups (4-5 members) will act as consultants, developing an IS and data strategy Proposal for a real or case study organisation. Deliverables include: a 20-minute presentation to simulated stakeholders with Q&A. The proposal should include an analysis of the organisation's current state, identify strategic gaps, and propose an integrated IS and data strategy aligned with business objectives. In addition, the proposal must address IS architecture, data governance, analytics/AI integration where appropriate, risk management, and implementation considerations.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 06 April 2026